Internships are stepping-stones for students, an opportunity to learn, develop, and succeed. They help students to familiarize themselves with the real-world work environment.
This was no different for Jenna Pupillo, a senior marketing major at the Barney School of Business, who got an opportunity to intern with Saya Life, a start-up that provides water sub-metering solutions for both homeowners and property managers. Pupillo is a member of the women’s lacrosse team at UHart, as well as being a chair member on the Community Outreach Committee, a member of Morgan's Message, and involved in the American Marketing Association.
Last fall she worked as a public relationships intern, and she made the most of this opportunity. About her time at Saya Life, she says, “This internship has allowed me to gain new marketing skills, while also giving me the opportunity to work directly with Saya Life’s CEO and founder, Sanjay Poojary.” Her job description involved content generation for newsletters and the company’s website to build awareness about the start-up operation; redesigning the packaging for Saya Life Products; testing the application; and doing a comparative study of the competitors. Through various projects that she worked on during her internship, Pupillo admits to having improved her oral and written communication skills, and she used her time to learn softwares and marketing techniques. Apart from all this, she considers package designing as her key accomplishment in the internship.
“I would like to thank Sanjay Poojary for giving me this opportunity to work for his company, Kevin Sweeny for connecting me to Upward Hartford, and Celia Lofink for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best,” says Pupillo. She extends her gratitude to the professors at the Barney School of Business who have, in her words, “greatly and positively impacted my journey over the last four years,” and adds, “the Lofink's, Dr. Lee, Dr. Cavazos, Jerome Katrichis, and KG, just to name a few, have supported me, not just as a student, but as an athlete and a professional. From attending my games to helping me land internships, they have made my experience at Barney more than I ever could have imagined.” Following her graduation this year, Pupillo aspires to explore different avenues, “whether it is a different job or location, or even opening a business of my own, I am excited to use what I have learned at the Barney School of Business to propel my future,” she says.
Jenna Pupillo '21, Marketing major, Barney School of BusinessThe Barney School of Business has allowed me to grow, both as a student and professionally. I have been able to accomplish so many projects I never deemed possible for myself, all while creating relationships with numerous mentors over my past four years here.